US Subcommittee Examines Toxic Substances Control Act, IP Protection 11/07/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A subcommittee of the United States House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee today heard arguments for and against greater chemical regulation and trade secret protection in its review of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The hearing also examined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s role in regulation.
EU High Court Upholds Private Copy Levies On First Sale Of Blank Media 11/07/2013 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Setting general private copying levies on the first sale of blank media such as CDs and DVDs does not necessarily breach EU law, Europe’s highest court said on 11 July. The law does not allow the levy to be collected where the intended use of the recording media clearly isn’t for making private copies. But it doesn’t bar a general levy system that includes the option of reimbursement where the intended use is not private copying, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) said.
WTO Aid For Trade Review Looks At LDCs And Value Chains 10/07/2013 by Caitlin McGivern for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Trade, development and value chains were a subject of discussion at this week’s World Trade Organization 4th Global Review of Aid for Trade, an initiative that encourages developing country governments and donors to recognise the role that trade can play in development.
Nations Begin To Take Action Against United States For NSA Spying 09/07/2013 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Swiss Privacy Foundation (Digitale Gesellschaft) is pushing for legal charges to be pressed against foreign intelligence services violating Swiss law following the revelations of former National Security Agency (NSA) employee and whistleblower Edward Snowden. At the same time, a US judge ruled today that a case against the NSA by the Electronic Frontier Foundation can proceed. And the European Union raised the issue in Washington this week, while Brazil has opened an investigation of US spying in that country.
Happy Birthday To You, Copyrighted 04/07/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Prof. Owen Dean writes: Warner/Chappel Music, a music publishing company in the United States of America, claims and exerts copyright in the ubiquitous song “Happy Birthday to You”. It requires that royalty payments should be made to it each and every time this song is sung or used in public. This is a startling proposition as most people probably assume that the song is in the public domain and is free for use by all. An American documentary film maker agrees and is objecting to having to pay royalties to include the song in a film. It has consequently commenced legal proceedings before the US court seeking a declaration that the song is out of copyright and in the public domain. These court proceeding are currently attracting attention world-wide due to their somewhat bizarre nature. Meanwhile, under a bill in South Africa, celebrants of birthdays who do not obtain the necessary licence for singing “Happy Birthday” may in future bring the full wrath of the law down upon themselves through their unlawful conduct. Moreover, this situation could prevail in perpetuity.
ECOSOC Panel: Science, Technology, Innovation Essential For Universal Health Coverage 04/07/2013 by Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) panel discussion on universal health coverage (UHC) on 3 July highlighted the importance of science, technology and innovation for achieving UHC, especially in the context of the post-2015 development agenda. Speakers discussed the meaning and scope of UHC as well as the financing and promotion of UHC in various country contexts.
Crowdfunded Contest: What Should Future Of Copyright Law Look Like? 03/07/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 9 Comments The Modern Poland Foundation, a non-profit and access to knowledge advocate, is asking people around the globe to participate in a crowdfunded contest that poses the question: What should a good copyright system look like?
Special Feature: A Look At Product Development Partnerships And Innovation For Neglected Diseases 03/07/2013 by Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An analysis of available information indicates that research-oriented product development partnerships (PDPs) are seen as providing a better approach to neglected diseases than most other public-private partnerships. Yet, in spite of many positive results, PDPs still have a limited impact in developing countries.
Public Interest Groups Ask US Court To Invalidate Stem Cell Patent 03/07/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A human embryonic stem cell patent held by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) should be invalidated, according to a legal filing made on 2 July by two public interest groups.
MSF: Prices On Latest ARV Drugs Under Patent Too High 02/07/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The price of first- and second-line anti-retrovirals (ARVs) have declined due to increased generic competition, while third-line regimens remain “exorbitantly priced,” according to the latest edition of a publication from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).